Line control



Sept. 11, 1928.

W. L. FOSTER LINE CONTROL Filed April 25, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 11, 1928.

W. L. FOSTER Ill NE CONTROL Filed April 23, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 11, 1928. 1,684,367

w. L. FOSTER LIINE CONTROL Filed April 23, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 H I a 34 {W 34 g? I t T f E .32 I

i T; d 1 1i (a, 37 a9 38 e3: I 37 J J] 33 JNVENTOK A T TURN Y5 Sept. 11, 1928. 1,684,367

, w. L. FOSTER LINE CONTROL Filed April 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ZYVVENTOR Patented Sept. 11, 1928.

UNITED STATES WALTER L. FOSTER, OF WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA.

LINE CONTROL.

Application filed April 23, 1923. Serial No. 633,891.

This invention relates to a device for controlling the winding of a line upon a drum and the unwinding therefrom.

Although the invention may be applied to reels and lines used in various places and for numerous purposes, it will suffice to explain its embodiment in an oil well drilling outfit. In rotary drilling outfits, a reel or drum structure is employed for winding a cable, which. structure is known as the draw works. In such outfits, there is a great strain placed upon the line and the winding and unwinding is done with great rapidity. Under such conditions, difficulty is experienced in causing the line to spool upon the drum. Another difficulty is experienced because of the line whipping or slapping. The primary object of this invention is to provide a device for feeding the line to or from the drum, which device will eliminate slapping of the line and will cause even spooling thereon.

These objects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments are obtained by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a double band draw works and the preferred form of my improved line control; Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the carriage frame shown in Fig. 1, illustrating its mounting upon the rig; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the carriage shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a. vertical section through the carriage shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a modified form of line control; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another modified form of the control; and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carriage and end of the frame shown in Fi 1. 1

l t eferring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, a drum shaft 8 carrying a hoisting drum 9 upon which the line is reeled is journalled upon a suitable frame not shown. Secured to the hoisting drum are brake drums 10 provided with brake strapslL This structure comprises part of the draw works, the details of which are not material to the present invention. The line 12 passes upward in the rig to the crown block.

Beams forming a part of the rig are indicated by 14. Extending from one of the beams are posts 15, their outer ends being graced by brackets 16. Mounted upon the posts so that it may rock in a horizontal direction is a carriage frame. The carriage frame comprises end pieces 17 having extensions formed with elongated slots 18, through which the posts 15 are passed. Connecting end pieces 17 is a shaft 19 and a rail 20. The shaft and latter being in the form of a channel bar. Mounted upon the posts 15 are compression springs 21 tending to hold the frame at the outer ends of the posts. The carriage com-,1 prises a base 22 for slidingly mounting the carriage upon the shaft. the base are sockets 23 for slidingly receiving posts 24. The posts top by a shoe 25, which is shown lined with any suitable brake material 26. The shoe is rail are parallel, the

Upstanding from are joined at the so proportioned and formed that it will ride within the channel of rail 20. within the sockets and below the posts are compression springs 27 pressing the posts outwardly and holding the shoe in engagement with the rail. The movement of the carriage along the shaft 19 is braked by the shoe. Formed between the base 22 and the posts 23 are boxes 28 carrying pintles 29. Rotatably mounted upon the pintles are idler pulleys 30 having grooves to receive the line 12, which is passed therebetween.

Disposed I have shown grease cups 31 connected with grease ducts to lubricate the idler.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the line is maintained taut between the carriage and the hoisting drum. The springs 21 tend to hold the frame outwardly and to maintain tension upon the line, the force being applied normal to the axis of the drum. The elongated holes receiving to adjust itself as the line winds upon the drum. Movement of the carriage along shaft 19 is braked thereby preventing side slapping.

eferring more particularly to Fig. 7, it will be noted that at the ends of rail 20 are openings covered by housings 48; journalled in the housings and projecting through the openings are rollers 49. The rollers are arranged to be engaged by shoe 25 at the end of its travel so as to depress the shoe, move it out of engagement with the rail and permit the shoe to move without any braking efi'ect. These rollers are disposed at the ends of the 'rail so as to rethe posts 15 permit the frame 9 baseare sockets 34 having posts 35 lieve tlfe side drag on the line at the end of the lines travel across the hoisting drum.

' the rail and the round shaft of the structure just described. The base 33 is mounted to slide upon the shaft. Upstanding from the to which a bridge 36 is attached. Springs tend to push the posts outwardly as in the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The bridge has downwardly extending arms provided with yokes 37 embracing the shaft 32. Brake shoes 38 engage the underside of the shaft, thereby producing a braking effect. Boxes 39 carry pintles 40 for idlers as before described. The operation of the device is obvious. Rollers may also be provided on the under side of shaft 32 at its ends to relieve the braking effect.

Fig. 6 is a modification of the carriage shown in Figs. 1 to 4,, the frame employed being the same. Mounted to rotate on shaft 19 is an idler 41 having hubs 42. The idler is grooved to receive t e line, and the hubs have annular recesses 43, which receive yokes 44 which rest therein. Sockets 45 extend from the yokes and are provided with posts 46 pressed upwardly by springs. A shoe 47 connects the posts and rides in the channel of the rail 20. The operation of the device is obvious from the descri tion. The pressure of the idler outward y against the line is sufiicient to keep the latter in the groove of the idler and thereby prevent side slapping.

What I claim is:

1. In combinationwith a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame resiliently mounted to rock in a plane parallel with the axis of said drum and substantially perpendicular to said line a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum, means to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

2. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame resiliently mounted to rock in a plane parallel with the axis of the drum, and substantially perpendicular to said line, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axiall of said drum, brake means to resist the siding of said carriage, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

3. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame resiliently mounted to rock in a lane parallel with the axis of the drum and substantially per endicular to said line, a carriage mounted t ereon to slide axially of said drum, means to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, and an idler pulle on said carriage for the passage of the line thereover,

4. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame resiliently mounted to rock in a plane parallel with the axis of the drum and substantially perpendicular to said line, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum, brake means to resist the sliding of said carriage, and an idler pulle on said carriage for the passage of the line thereover. p

5. In combination with a drum provided with a line to be reeled thereon and a stationary support, a line control comprising posts mounted on said support and extending transverse to the axis of said drum, a frame mounted on said support so as to-be rocked, springs tending to maintain each end of said frame at the outer end of its post, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum, brake means to resist the sliding of said carriage, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

6. In combination with a drum provided with a line to be reeled thereon and a stationary support, a line control comprising posts mounted on said support and extending transverse to the frame tiltably mounted on said posts, springs tending to maintain each end of said frame at the outer end of its post, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum, means to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, and an idler pulley on said carriage for the passage of the line thereover.

7. In combination with a drum provided with a line to be reeled thereon and a stationary support, a line control comprising posts mounted on said support and extending transverse to the axis of said drum, 9. frame mounted on said posts so as to be rocked, compression springs mounted on said posts and engaging the ends of said frame tending to maintain each end of said frame at the outer end of its post, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum, brake means to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

8. In combination with a drum provided with a line to be reeled thereon, a stationary support, a line control comprising posts mounted on said support and extending transverse to the axis of said drum, a frame mounted on said posts so as to be rocked, compression springs mounted on said posts and engaging the ends of said frame tending to maintain each end of said frame at the outer end of its post, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum,

axis, of said drum, a

llh

Lessee? brake means to resist the sliding of said carriage, and an idler pulley on said carriage for the passage of the line thereover.

9. A line control comprising stationary posts, a frame mounted on said posts so as to be rocked, springs tending to maintain each end of said frame at the outer end of its post, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide between said posts, means interposed between said carriage and said frame to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

10. A line control comprising stationary posts, a frame mounted on said posts so as to be rocked, springs tending to maintain each end of said frame at the outer end of its post, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide between said posts, means interposed between said carriage and said frame to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, and an idler pulley on said carriage for the passage of the line thereover.

11. A line control comprising stationary posts, a frame mounted on said posts so as to be rocked, springs tending to maintain each end of said frame at the outer end of its post, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide between said posts, brake means on said carriage to engage said frame to resist the sliding of said carriage, and an idler pulley on said carriage for the passing of the line thereover. I

12. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame, a carriage mounted thereon to slide axially of said drum, means to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, means to relieve the resistance at the ends of travel in both directions, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

13. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame resiliently mounted to rock in a plane parallel with the axis of said drum and substantially perpendicular to said line, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum, means to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, means to relieve the resistance to the sliding of said carriage at both ends of its travel, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

14. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame, a carriage mounted thereon to slide axially of said drum, a brake shoe on said carriage engaging said frame to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

15. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame resiliently mounted to rock in a plane parallel with the axis of said drum and su stantially perpendicular to said line, a carriage mounted'on said frame to slide axially of said drum, a brake shoe mounted on said carriage to engage said frame for resisting the sliding of said carriage in either direction, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

16. In combInation with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame, a carriage mounted thereon to slide axially of said drum, a brake shoe mounted on said carriage engaging said frame to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, means on said frame at the ends thereof to release said shoe from the braking surface, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

17. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame resiliently mounted to rock in a plane parallel with the axis of said drum and substantially perpendicular to said line, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum, a brake shoe mounted on said carriage to engage said frame to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, means on said frame at the ends of the travel of said carriage to release said shoe from the brake surface, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

18. In combination with a drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame having a brake rail, a carriage mounted on said frame to slide axially of said drum, a brake shoe to engage said brake rail and resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, rollers on said rail at the ends of the travel-of said carriage to release said brake shoe from the braking surface on said rail, and guide means on said carriage for the passa e of the line.

19. In com ination wit-ha drum and a line to be reeled thereon, a line control comprising a frame resiliently mounted to rock in a plane parallel with the axis of said drum and substantially perpendicular to said line, a brake rail on said frame, a carriage mounted on sa d frame to slide axially of said drum, a brake shoe on said carriage to engage said brake rail to resist the sliding of said carriage in either direction, rollers on said brake rail at the end of the travel of said carriage to release said shoe from the braking surface of said rail, and guide means on said carriage for the passage of the line.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 13th day of April, 1923.

WALTER L. FOSTER. 

